Look: Soweto entrepreneur turns bin washing into jobs for young people

Soweto recycling entrepreneur Banele Ndlovu has turned a bin-washing service into a business that employs 22 young people, makes bags from recycled plastic and has planted more than 1 000 trees, Joburg Etc reports.

The environmentalist from Pimville shared his journey at the City of Johannesburg’s Youth Recycling Indaba on 15 October, which explored opportunities in recycling.

‘I started by washing bins in the township. The first month I washed 10 bins, and it grew from there,’ Ndlovu told the City.

His enterprise collects recyclable materials, produces recycled-plastic bags and runs a community food garden.
Turning waste into opportunity

The indaba was organised by the City’s Environment and Infrastructure Service Department with Pikitup, the Greater Johannesburg Environmental Forum and Petco.

Smith Radingwana, Pikitup’s environmental education and community development manager, said the event aimed to help young people recognise opportunities in waste management. Pikitup has linked youth cooperatives with organisations supporting skills development.

The need for job-creating initiatives remains significant. Statistics South Africa reported that youth unemployment reached 47.4% in the second quarter of 2026.

Ndlovu’s story shows how recycling can support livelihoods and neighbourhoods. The City says it will continue backing community initiatives and partnerships for a cleaner, greener Johannesburg.